Authors:

The Princeton Code for Advanced Plasma Propulsion Simulation (PCAPPS) is a
recently developed parallel finite volume code that solves the resistive MHD
equations in axisymmetric form. It is intended for simulating complex plasma
flows, especially those in plasma thrusters. The code uses a flux function
to represent the poloidal field. It allows for externally applied magnetic
fields, necessary for efficient operation of magnetoplasmadynamic thrusters
(MPDT) at low power. Separate electron and heavy species energy equations
are employed, and model closure is achieved by a multi-level equilibrium
ionization equation of state. We provide results from various validation
tests, along with solver accuracy and parallel efficiency studies.
Preliminary numerical studies of a lithium-fed MPDT are also presented.

*This work is supported by the Department of Energy Computational Science Graduate Fellowship Program of the Office of Science and National Nuclear Security Administration in the Department of Energy under contract DE-FG02-97ER25308.

To cite this abstract, use the following reference: http://meetings.aps.org/link/BAPS.2006.DPP.VP1.169